Power rate near top of new survey

CHARLOTTETOWN — - CHARLOTTETOWN — A new survey of 17 Canadian cities shows Charlottetown residents pay one of the highest utility rates in the country. The Manitoba Hydro survey showed only Grande Prairie, Alberta charged more for 750-kilowatt hours of power.

Manitoba Hydro survey - July 2003

CITIES 750 kW.h ¢/kW.h Grand Prairie, AB $110.33 14.710 Charlottetown $ 97.11 12.948 Edmonton, AB $ 90.52 12.069 Englehart, ON $ 84.59 11.278 Calgary, AB $ 75.92 10.123 The bill in that city would come to $110, while a Charlottetown resident would pay $97.

People in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick would be charged around $82 for the same amount of power.

Angus Orford, a spokesperson for Maritime Electric, said there is a long list of reasons for the power rates on the Island.

"There's no potential for damming up the rivers and generating electricity. The other factors are New Brunswick Power would be in a situation to sell energy to the Northeast United States at a more attractive price than they could sell it to Maritime Electric."

It was announced last week that the utility's rates would again be monitored by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. That body is charged with setting prices for petroleum, and monitoring land use issues.

In reacting to the survey, the utility said that IRAC will be able to help the public understand why the power rates in the province are some of the highest in Canada.